Father Oak

9.75”x13.75” Oil paint
3”x4” Colored pencil and watercolor

I discovered a large oak tree. Very old and very gnarled. This one was of particular interest to me because it was surrounded by a fairy ring. In a small hole, that I had to climb to reach, was a tiny dormouse and fairy sleeping peacefully through the chilly winter.

I’ve observed that small pixies like this one, shed their wings in the fall and grow a new pair in the spring. This pixie must have snuck in after the dormouse was already hibernating to take advantage of warmth and winter food stores. Clever!